Patents Assigned to Ecogen Inc.
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Patent number: 6077824Abstract: Disclosed are methods for increasing the activity of B. thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins against Coleopteran insect pests. Also disclosed are methods for mutagenizing nucleic acid sequences encoding these polypeptides, and increasing insect resistance in transgenic plants expressing these genes.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: Leigh H. English, Susan M. Brussock, Thomas M. Malvar, James W. Bryson, Caroline A. Kulesza, Frederick S. Walters, Stephen L. Slatin, Michael A. Von Tersch
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Patent number: 6060594Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid segments comprising synthetically-modified genes encoding Coleopteran-toxic B. thuringiensis .delta.-endotoxins. Also disclosed are methods of using these genes for the recombinant expression of polypeptides, the preparation of vectors containing the genes, and methods for transforming suitable host cells.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignees: Ecogen, Inc., Monsanto CompanyInventors: Leigh H. English, Susan M. Brussock, Thomas M. Malvar, James W. Bryson, Caroline A. Kulesza, Frederick S. Walters, Stephen L. Slatin, Michael A. Von Tersch, Charles Romano
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Patent number: 6033874Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding .delta.-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the .alpha. helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: James A. Baum, Amy Jelen Gilmer, Ann-Marie Light Mettus
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Patent number: 6023013Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants and transformed host cells which express modified cry 3B genes with enhanced toxicity to Coleopteran insects. Also disclosed are methods of making and using these transgenic plants, methods of making recombinant host cells expressing these .delta.-endotoxins, and methods of killing insects such as Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) and western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignees: Monsanto Company, Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: Leigh H. English, Susan M. Brussock, Thomas M. Malvar, James W. Bryson, Caroline A. Kulesza, Frederick S. Walters, Stephen L. Slatin, Michael A. Von Tersch, Charles Romano
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Patent number: 6017534Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis chimeric crystal proteins having improved insecticidal activity against coleopteran, dipteran and lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are the nucleic acid segments encoding these novel peptides. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1996Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Malvar, Amy Jelen Gilmer
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Patent number: 5965428Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chimeric crystal protein comprising CryIF and CryIAc. Bacillus thuringiensis isolates comprising said protein and a method of controlling lepidopterans are also included in the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: Amy Jelen Gilmer, James A. Baum
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Patent number: 5942664Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding .delta.-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the .alpha. helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: James A. Baum, Amy Jelen Gilmer, Anne-Marie Light Mettus
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Patent number: 5914318Abstract: Disclosed are novel synthetically-modified B. thuringiensis nucleic acid segments encoding .delta.-endotoxins having insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Also disclosed are synthetic crystal proteins encoded by these novel nucleic acid sequences. Methods of making and using these genes and proteins are disclosed as well as methods for the recombinant expression, and transformation of suitable host cells. Transformed host cells and transgenic plants expressing the modified endotoxin are also aspects of the invention. Also disclosed are methods for modifying, altering, and mutagenizing specific loop regions between the .alpha. helices in domain 1 of these crystal proteins, including Cry1C, to produce genetically-engineered recombinant cry* genes, and the proteins they encode which have improved insecticidal activity. In preferred embodiments, novel Cry1C* amino acid segments and the modified cry1C* nucleic acid sequences which encode them are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: James A. Baum, Amy Jelen Gilmer, Anne-Marie Light Mettus
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Patent number: 5854053Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated B.t. strain EG5847, exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Two novel toxin genes from B.t. strain EG5847 designated cryET4 and cryET5 produce insecticidal proteins with activity against a broad spectrum of insects of the order Lepidoptera. The cryET4 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:1 and produces a CryET4 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:2. The cryET5 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:3 and produces a CryET5 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:4.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: William P. Donovan, Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr.
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Patent number: 5843744Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1994Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventor: James A. Baum
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Patent number: 5804180Abstract: The present invention is directed to Bacillus thuringiensis isolates active against lepidopteran pests, and certain lepidopteran-toxic crystal proteins produced by the Bacillus thuringiensis isolates.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventor: James Baum
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Patent number: 5776449Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t., insecticidal compositions containing recombinant B.t. strains and their use in insect control methods.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventor: James A. Baum
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Patent number: 5650308Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventor: James A. Baum
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Patent number: 5464618Abstract: A gustatory stimulant composition for beetles of the sub-family Galerucinae comprising a dried and powdered Cucurbitaceae plant material, a lubricant, and an adherent, and a method of making the composition are disclosed. Methods for enhancing the effectiveness of an adulticide used against galerucinid beetles, for controlling a beetle population, and for stimulating the feeding of a beetle population with the composition of this invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1994Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventors: Charles C. Doane, Jack W. Jenkins, Dirk A. Ave
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Patent number: 5441884Abstract: A transposable element, or transposon, isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and designated as transposon Tn5401. The invention also includes a method of using this transposon in a site-specific recombination system for construction of recombinant B.t. strains that contain insecticidal B.t. toxin protein genes and that are free of DNA not native to B.t.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1993Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventor: James A. Baum
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Patent number: 5382429Abstract: A purified and isolated cryIII-type gene was obtained from a novel B.t. strain. The gene has a nucleotide base sequence coding for the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1 . The 74.4 kDa protein produced by this gene is an irregularly shaped crystal that is toxic to coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1992Date of Patent: January 17, 1995Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventors: William P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney, Timothy B. Johnson
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Patent number: 5378625Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5144, exhibits insecticidal activity against coleopteran insects, including Colorado potato beetle and insects of the genus Diabrotica. A novel toxin gene in B.t. strain EG5144 produces an irregularly shaped insecticidal crystal protein of approximately 70 kDa that is toxic to coleopteran insects. The cryIII-type gene (SEQ ID NO:1), designated as the cryIIIC(b) gene, has a nucleotide base sequence illustrated in FIG. 1.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1993Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Ecogen, Inc.Inventors: William P. Donovan, Mark J. Rupar, Annette C. Slaney
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Patent number: 5356623Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated EG5092, exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. A purified and isolated novel cryET1 toxin gene product from B.t. strain EG5092 exhibits specific insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella (Diamondback moth). The cryET1 gene (SEQ ID NO:1) has a nucleotide base sequence illustrated in FIG. 1 and produces a CryET1 gene product (SEQ ID NO:2) having a deduced amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventors: Michael A. von Tersch, Jose M. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 5338544Abstract: The present invention relates to a CryIIB protein which is insecticidal against lepidopteran insects, insecticidal compositions comprising the CryIIB protein and methods for use thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1993Date of Patent: August 16, 1994Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventor: William P. Donovan
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Patent number: 5322687Abstract: A Bacillus thuringiensis strain isolate, designated B.t. strain EG5847, exhibits insecticidal activity against lepidopteran insects. Two novel toxin genes from B.t. strain EG5847 designated cryET4 and cryET5 produce insecticidal proteins with activity against a broad spectrum of insects of the order Lepidoptera. The cryET4 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:1 and produces a CryET4 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 and listed in SEQ ID NO:2. The cryET5 gene has a nucleotide base sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:3 and produces a CryET5 gene product having the deduced amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 and listed in SEQ ID NO:4.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: June 21, 1994Assignee: Ecogen Inc.Inventors: William P. Donovan, Yuping Tan, Christine S. Jany, Jose M. Gonzalez, Jr.